Means for attaching military insignia to garments



J. 5. BROWNSTEIN 2,850,818

Sept. 9, 1958 MEANS FOR ATTACHING MILITARY INSIGNIA TO GARMENTS Filed July 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Jpspph S. Bzmwmjei BY W ATTORNEYS.

S P 9, 19573 J. s. BROWNSTEIN 2,850,818

MEANS FOR ATTACHING MILITARY INSIGNIA TO GARMENTS Filed July 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORI Jospph S. Bno wns i'ein z/ W W ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 9, 1958 MEANS FOR ATTACHING MILITARY INSIGNIA TO GARMENTS This invention relates to clasping or gripping means for securing buttons, ornaments, military insignia, or the like, to a backing material, such as a garment.

More particularly this invention relates to clasp means for securing insignia, or the like, to a garment when the insignia carries two or more rearwardly projecting prongs adapted to pierce the fabric and to be secured thereto by clutch fasteners or other detent means which may be attached to the prongs on the second side of the garment.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide new and improved means for attaching military insignia, and the like, to garments.

It is another object of this invention to provide means for attaching and securing insignia to a garment in such a manner that all portions of the insignia are held in flush engagement with the garment.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means for attaching military insignia, having two or more rearwardly projecting prongs, to a garment with a single clasp which may be easily engaged and readily removed.

These and other objects of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, and the appended claims.

The invention may be best understood with reference 1..) the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the bottom of the insignia clasp.

Figure 2 is a section taken along the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig ure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modification of the clasp device, illustrated as viewed from the underside.

Figure 5 is a section taken along lines 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modification of the clasp, illustrated as viewed from the underside.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a ribbon backing bar, illustrated as viewed from the underside, having the clasp mean incorporated therein in accordance with this invention.

Figure 8 is a section taken along lines S8 of Figure 7, and

Figure 9 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary section taken along lines 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown an assembled clasp unit as is affixed on the underside of a garment bearing a military insignia, such as a colonels eagle, shown in phantom at 10, on the exterior side thereof. The side of the clasp unit closest the outer surface of the garment will be termed the outer side; the side furthest from the exterior of the garment will be termed the rear side. The insignia is provided with two rear- Wardly disposed prongs 'or shanks 12 which extend through the fabric 14. The clasp comprises a base or detent plate 16 which has a length and width greater than that of the indicia to be carried, so that the projections,

points, or tips of the indicia 10 will rest flush against the fabric 14, which in turn lies fiat on the exterior surface of the clasp member. The base plate 16 may be provided with a backing plate 18 which is of substantially equal size and shape, and which is provided with spaced apertures 20 located to receive the prongs 12. The backing plate may have one or more rims 22 extending around the edges of the base plate, and doubled back against its far surface as will be discussed hereinafter.

As best shown in Figure 1, the base plate 16 has a portion of its interior area cut or perforated, as at 25, to form oppositely disposed sections 24, 26, which are cantilevered from the remainder of the base plate. These sections are formed to extend outwardly to the rear of the plate at small, and at substantially equal, angles. The free ends of these sections are further perforated or cut to form three independent portions 28, 30 and 32 cantilevered from the mainsections 24, 26. The portions 28, 28' and 32, 32' are formed as fingers extending inwardly to complementarily form an apex on the rearside of the clasp. The juncture of these elements may be given a concave configuration, may be notched, or may be left fiat. The ends of these fingers are located so that a given complementary set, such as 23, 28 form a jaw to receive and engage a prong 12 extending through the clasp. As shown in Figure 2, the prongs may have a roughened, notched, or serrated surface, so that the ends of the clasping fingers will not only receive and engage their surfaces, but will yieldingly urge the prong unidirectionally rearward by tension induced from the resiliency of the fingers.

The intermediate portions 30, 30, cantilevered from the sections 24, 26 are shaped as interfitting fingers, which are co-planar with 2828' and 32-32'. As both the intermediate portions 30, 30' and the finger portions 28, 28', 32, 32', which form main sections 24, 26', are all cantilevered at the same point or line from the main or body portion of the base plate 16, it will be seen that flexion of one of these portions with respect to the base plate will cause a certain flexion in the other portions of the same section. This complementary flexion is somewhat reduced by the deep perforations 25, but will always be present to some degree. As the intermediate portions 30, 3t), utilized as grip-releasing fingers, are located directly between the grip-releasing fingers, a fiexion of these members, that is, an outwardly manipulation, will also serve to flex the fingers outward and hence away from the prongs 12. When the fingers are moved away from the prongs, and the grip upon the serrated surface is broken, the insignia may be easily removed by finger pressure. In other words, the outward movement of the free ends of either of the grip-releasing fingers will break the grip of both of the jaw members and will allow the insignia, and the prongs 12, to be withdrawn from its contact with the clasp device.

On the other side of the base plate there is disposed a backing plate having a planar surface which is substantially the same size and shape as the detent or base plate 16. The backing plate has spaced apertures 24) suitably located to readily receive the prongs 12. It has. one or more rims 22. extending around the edges of the base plate and doubled back against its rear surface. As this rim extends to the rear of the base plate for a sub stantial distance and at least a distance equal to that between the base plate and the free ends of the various finger portions, it will be seen that it will act as a protective guard against both premature release of the gripping means induced by frictional contact with the clothing or body and will also protect the clothing or body from contact with the tip of the prong which may be sharp or irregular.

Referring more particularly to Figure 4, in which I have illustrated a modification of this invention, base plate 40 constitutes the web of a channel member indicated generally at 41. The base member is perforated and formed into the cantilevered gripping finger and grip releasing fingers as described hereinabove. The two legs 42 of the channel member are slightly spread and extend a substantial distance away from the web, this distance being at least as great as the distance from the inner surface of the web to the free ends of the cantilevered fingers. The ends of the legs 42 are provided with oppositely disposed inwardly directed flanges 44 which are sloped at a small angle towards the web. The obtuse angles defined by the plane of the two legs will fit snugly on the rounded portions of the body, for example the shoulders, on which identifying military insignia are fro-- quently worn.

In Figure 6 there is illustrated another modification of the invention consisting of a clasping device constructed from the single piece of resilient material, similar to the base or detent plate 16 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. In some application of decorative ornaments, and particularly of military insignia, the ornament or insignia is Worn in such a position that there is little likelihood of the prongs bearing against the skin, or another garment, and thus it is sometimes unnecessary to provide a guard rim. For example, when military insignia is worn upon the forward points of a shirt collar, the material is sufilciently spaced from both the body and the collar band to make guard rims unnecessary. It is therefore proposed to provide a clasping member stamped from a single sheet of resilient material which may be mass produced at a very low cost.

The base member 60, illustrated as used with a lieutenants bar, illustrated in phantom, has rearwardly projecting prongs 62. The base or detent plate 60 is perforated and formed with the complementary clasping fingers and gripped releasing fingers as discussed hereinabove. When it is desirable or necessary to wear ornaments or an insignia on a garment in locations where the rearwardly projecting pins would not touch or engage other cloth of the garment or the body of the wearer, the single plate grip member has been proven entirely satisfactory as the lack of exterior contacts of any kind makes the premature release of the clasp unlikely.

Using Figure 6 as the basic form of this invention, of which the several other figures are modifications or parts thereof that are designed for specific applications, it will be noted that the plate is a one piece stamping that, ex-

cept for the fingers, lies in a plane and is easily attachable or detachable from the insignia or ornament by a single squeeze of the release fingers. While engaged, the resilience of the fingers will hold the ornament or insignia flush with the cloth over its entire perimeter due to the design of the plate bearing the clutch fastener, thus avoiding breaking the insignia or tearing of superimposed clothing. The design of this clutch plate fastener is such that without changing the design of the clutch itself, its carrying plate could be made to underlie an insignia or ornament of any size or shape, and, while underlying cloths of varying thicknesses still hold the ornament flush with the cloth to which it is fastened.

In Figures 7, 8, and 9, there is illustrated another modification of the invention in which a back or detent bar or plate, having the approximate size and shape of a military ribbon bar, is provided with clasping means to receive and engage pins or prongs projecting from the rear of the ribbon bar. The detent bar 76 is positioned on the interior or inner side of the garment in a position corresponding to the location to the ribbon bar 71. The prongs are received and engaged by the gripping fingers formed in the detent bar or plate as discussed hereinabove, that is, the bar is perforated to form gripping fingers 78, 79, 80 and 81 and grip releasing fingers 3t? and 88. If the ribbon bar is unusually long, it is within the contemplation of this invention to provide several rearwardly projecting prongs on the ribbon bar, and to provide a commensurate number of gripping jaws on the detent plate.

In Figure 9, there is illustrated a detail view of the tab 84 which, as best shown in Figure 7, is stamped from the detent plate and bent outwardly from, and then longitudinally of, the plate to act as a guard member. Such a guard member protects the body or garment from any abrasion or wear from the points of the prongs and also prevents the premature release of the gripping fingers due to a movement of the cloth, or of the body, against the clasp releasing fingers 86, 88. The longitudinal edges 90 of the detent bar may be rolled to strengthen this member and to help prevent bending or deformation. It will be readily seen that as the detent bar has a length and width substantially equal to that of the ribbon bar, the material of the garment between these two members will be held fiat and smooth and it will be also seen that there is no opportunity for the ribbon bar to engage or catch on exterior objects as its ends will be held firmly against the surface of the garment.

Operation As all the gripping means provided by this invention are identical in operation, it will sufilce to describe the operation of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

A decorative ornament, for example, a colonels eagle, is selectively positioned in its proper location on the garment with the rearwardly projecting prongs 12 hearing against the surface of the material 14. The prongs are forced through the fabric in the usual manner so that the base or underside of the insignia is fiush with the surface of the material. The clasping device provided by this invention is then brought into position flush with the underside of the garment, as shown in Figure 2.

The resilient cantilevered fingers 2828 and 3232 will part sufiiciently to allow the prongs to pass through, but, due to their natural resiliency, will bear obliquely against their roughened surface, gripping the same and resiliently holding them against any withdrawal movement. The fingers create components of force having a resultant urging the contacted section of the prong away from the inner surface of the garment.

When it is deemed desirable to disengage the multiple gripping fingers, it is only necessary to move the end of one of the fingers 30-3t!', say 30, away from the detent plate 16. Such a-fiexion of this grip releasing finger will also move the cantilevered section 24 outwardly. As this section carries fingers 28 and 32 cantilevered therefrom, this flexion will move these fingers away from their contact with prongs 12, and as the prongs are normally secured by the combined urging of 28 28' and 3232', the prongs are immediately freed from all restraint, and may be easily withdrawn from the clasping device and through the fabric.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of the invention, it is not to be limited or restricted to specific details herein set forth, but I wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and falling within the scope of the following claims:

I claim:

1. The combination with an ornament of non-circular shape having a plurality of corners or points and a plurality of prongs spaced apart and projecting from the back face of said ornament, of means for securing the same to a garment, comprising a detent plate of at least substantially the same size and shape as the ornament adapted to receive and grip said prongs, a spring-pressed jaw type gripper aligned with each of said prongs, said grippers being defined by gripping fingers equi-angularly cantilevered from said plate, a gripper release finger cantilevered from said plate between said gripping fingers of two of said grippers, the arrangement being such that fiexion of said release finger carries said last mentioned gripping fingers out of engagement with said prongs.

2. The combination with an ornament of non-circular shape having a plurality of corners or points and a plurality of prongs spaced apart and projecting from the back face of said ornament, of means for securing the same to a garment, comprising a back plate of at least substantially the same size and shape as the ornament, a plurality of spring-pressed jaws formed in said back plate, each of said jaws comprising a plurality of gripping fingers cantilevered equi-angularly on one side of said plate, said jaws being spaced to receive and grip said prongs, a plurality of release fingers cantilevered from said plate between said jaws, the portions of the plate defining said gripping fingers and said releasing fingers being cantilevered from the remainder of said plate, the arrangement being such that the flexion of said release fingers carries said gripping fingers out of engagement with said prongs.

3. A stiff resilient detent plate for gripping a stud projecting from an insignia, oppositely disposed sections of said plate defined by perforation of the interior area of said plate, said sections being equi-angularly cantilevered from said plate on the same planar side thereof, a plurality of clutch members formed in each of said respective sections and cantilevered therefrom, the clutch means of one of said oppositely disposed sections being opposite to the clutch members of the other of said sections, an interfitting clutch release finger cantilevered from each said sections, each opposed pair of clutch members defining a stud receiving and engaging apex to resiliently urge a stud uni-directionally.

4. In the structure defined in claim 3, said detent plate having a length and width at least equal to that of the insignia being carried thereby.

5. The structure defined in claim 3, said plate having a guard rim formed on a plurality of its ends, each of said rims being offset from the plane of the plate a distance at least equal to the distance from said plate to the free end of said fingers, said rims being spaced one from another.

6. A clutch clasp for, insignia having a plurality of prongs spaced apart and projecting from the back face of said insignia, comprising a channel member of stiff resilient material having a web plate and two legs, inwardly directed flanges sloping toward said web formed on said legs, said Web having a length and Width at least equal to the insignia carried thereby, oppositely disposed complementary sections formed in the interior area of said web and cantilevered equi-angularly therefrom on the same side thereof, a plurality of fingers cantilevered from said sections, the respective fingers of each of said sections being complementarily arranged, one set of said complementary fingers defining gripping jaws to receive and engage one of said prongs, and another set of said complementary fingers defining gripping jaws to receive and engage another of said prongs, and another set of said complementary fingers defining two jaw releasing members, the arrangement being such that flexion of one of said members will flex its section and disengage the other fingers of said sections from said prongs.

' 7. In the structure defined in claim 4, a backing plate disposed on the second planar side of said detent plate having a plurality of apertures corresponding in number and spacing to the prongs on said insignia or the like, and a rim on said backing plate extending around said detent plate to the first planar side thereof, said rim being offset from said first planar side a distance at least equal to the distance from said first planar side to the free ends of said fingers.

8. The combination with an insignia of non-circular shape having a plurality of corners or points and a plurality of prongs spaced apart and projecting from the back face of said insignia, of means for securing the same to a garment comprising a plate of at least substantially the same size and shape as the insignia, said plate being so perforated to allow the prongs to pass normally therethrough, means defining a plurality of spring-pressed jaw grippers disposed on the side of the plate remote from said insignia, said grippers having the same centers spacing as the prongs of the insignia, each of said grippers being defined by opposed cantilevered portions of a resilient material, a gripper release finger co-cantilevered with at least two of said portions and disposed on the same side of the centers line of the prongs of the insignia as said two portions, said co-cantilevered finger being located between at least two of the prongs, the arrangement being such that flexion of said release finger carries said gripping portions out of engagement with said prongs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 668,751 Irving Feb. 26, 1901 1,338,066 Blocker Apr. 27, 1920 2,308,412 Ballou Jan. 12, 1943 2,308,424 Morehouse Jan. 12, 1943 2,636,235 Nygard Apr. 28, 1953 

